SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Convicted Drug Dealers Car To Be Sledge Hammered At Santa Rosa County Fair

What was once a drug dealers pride and joy will be reduced to a pile of rubble at the Santa Rosa County Fair during a fund raiser called "Drop the Hammer on Drugs". A 1973 Buick Regal which was once owned by convicted criminal Raphael Goodwin, 20 years old, (sentenced to life plus ten years in Federal Prison for narcotics offenses) is being displayed at the Santa Rosa County Fair in East Milton, beginning Thursday, April 5, 2007. The vehicle, which has custom paint and numerous air-brushed pictures (one of Goodwin) has since been stripped by the Sheriff's Office of all valuables, leaving this once prestigious drug mobile nothing but a shell of drug related history. The vehicle has also been stripped of all glass and possible projectiles so that the sledge hammer fund raiser can be conducted safely. This vehicle was one of 23 vehicles that were seized during a multi-agency investigation that yielded 23 arrests, guns, cash, and drugs. This lengthy investigation involved over 10,000 man hours and was related to a large conspiracy involving the distribution of cocaine in Santa Rosa County. The group of suspects arrested was responsible for at least six drive-by shootings, where at least three people were shot, one kidnapping, and several home invasion robberies. The arrests of the suspects had a major impact on the reduction of drug activity and violence in Santa Rosa County. All proceeds from the fund raiser will be donated to the Santa Rosa County Explorer Post 483, which is a program run by the Sheriff's Office for teens interested in law enforcement. The cost will be one hit for $2 and 3 hits for $5. Photographs of the vehicle (stripped and ready to go) are attached to this email.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

850-981-2136

850-698-4441